Weight construction



uga 5, 1947, w, zlNK Er AL 2,425,057

WEIGHT CONSTRUCTION v original Filed March 1e, 1959 s Sheets-sheet 1 www L. zink Vernon 0. Hausufr'h Joh@ f/Z.- GeJ'whie INVENTORJ' .MM l

ATTORNEY A1155 19-47- Aw.l..z1NK Er Aj.. A, 2,425,057 y `WEIGHT CONSTRUCTION Original Filed March 16,-1939 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 T, v William L. Zik i 1 3.

Verfzon. Haaourfh John 712. Gefrurhe INVENTORJa *BY .zu

ATT'QRNEY '3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Aug. 5, 1947.

w. n.. zum ET Al.

WEIGHT CONSTRUCTION Originl Filed March 16, 1939 Patented Aug. 5, 1947 WEIGHT CONSTRUCTION William L. Zink,'1lano, Vernon 0. Hauswirth, Kankakee, and John' M. Geistwhite, Chebanse, Ill., assignorsto Sears, Roebuck and Co., Chicago, Ill., a corporation of New York Original application March 16, 1939, Serial No.

259,970, now Patent No; 2,307,096, dated January 5, 1943. Divided and this application January 2, 1943, Serial No. 471,170

A further object of this invention is to provide.

an improved two Wheel tractor implement having novel means for counteracting the torque of.

the implement resulting from the motor, and counterbalancing the downward force exerted by the tools by reason of their working the ground.

Another object is to provide an improved two wheel tractor implement having novel vmeans whereby a plurality of weights may be Vdisposed thereon and shifted to diierent positions for Varying the weight on the traction wheels and the counterbalancing eiect on the implement.

A further object is to provide an improved weight having a novel construction whereby the 2 a vertical section taken substantially along the lines 8-8 of Fig. 5.

In the embodiment selected to illustrate the invention as shown in the accompanying drawings, a tractor referred to generally by the reference character I0 is provided, comprising a transmission housing I2 containing the train of transmission gears, not shown.

`The gear train in the transmission housing I2 bis so arranged that the housing I2 may be provided with a pair of spaced apart depending housing portions I4 for receiving aligned axles kIt operatively connected with the gears comprising the gear train in the transmission housing.

As best shown in Fig. 2, each of the axles I6 is provided with a connecting head I8 for being secured to the hub 20 of a wheel 22 by any suitable means, such as bolts `2xt. Spoke type wheels have been illustrated in the drawings, but other types of Wheels may be adapted for use, if so desired.

As best shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 5, a pair of frame bars 26 is provided which extends between the depending portions I4 of the transmission housing I2. Frame bars 2E are xedly connected intended.

Other objects and advantages will appear fromv the following description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a twowheel tractor implement embodying theprinciples of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially along the line 2-2 of Fig. 1, weights being shown on the wheels in Fig. 2 which are .not shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an elevational View of one of the Wheels and the Weights attached thereto shown in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional View taken substantially along the line 4-4 of Fig. 3; Y

Fig. 5 is a bottom plan View of the structure shown in Fig. 1, the tools illustrated in Fig.l 1, however, not being shown;

Fig. 6 is a sectional View showing the relationship of an additional Weight when attached to the paired weights illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4;

Fig. 7 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially along the line 'l-l of Fig. 5; and

Figj is a vertical sectional viewshowing the relationship of additional v'veightsl attachedrto the weights shownin Fig, 7 as Wouldv result from.

to the transmission housing I2 by means of bolts 28 which extend through flanges 30 integral with the housing. The frame bars 26 extend rearwardly and upwardly from the transmission housing I2 for providing a pair of handles 32 adapted for being grasped by the operator for controlling the direction of travel of the tractor.

1 The frame .bars 25 are also extended forwardly of the transmission housing I2 for supporting an lengine or motor 34 which is'mounted on the frame bars 28 and connected thereto by anchor bolts 35. The engine or motor 36 pro-vides the motive power by means of which the tractor is propelled and is operatively connected to the transmission mechanism within the transmission housing I2 by any suitable means.

The apparatus for controlling the operation of the motor 34 and the transmission mechanism disposed within the housing I2 has not been illustrated in the drawings, as the same is not pertinent to the present invention.

rAn extension frame 3B preferably U-shaped, as illustrated in Fig. 5, is fixedly connected to the frame bars 26 forwardly of? the transmission housing I2 by any suitable means, such as bolts 40,' and is adapted for supporting weights, as will hereinafter be more fully described. i

A cross member 42 is positioned on the under side of the frame barV 26 somewhat rearwardly of the transmission housing I2 and is xedly connectedto the frame bars .26 by bolts t4,

An implement frame 4S on which the ground working tools are mounted is pivotally connected to the cross member 42 by means of a pivot pin 48 and comprises a pair of arms 56 connected to aplate member 52 which, in turn, receives the pivot p nxedly connected to a flange 55` integralwith) the transmission housing l2 and the other end.V xedly connected to one of the frame bars' 2G- The implement frame d6 is supported from the frame bars 26 by means of a supporting structure which includes a carriage 58 anda track 66. The track 6e is a part of a U-shaped member 62de.- pending from and connected to the frame bars 25 by means of bolts 64. Brace bars 66 arey connected to the frame bars 26 and the depending sides of the U-shaped member 62 for rigidly retaining the member 62 in position.

The carriage 58 is ixedly connected to the irnplement arms 5E and a riding element 68 positioned on the top thereof. The riding element is provided with a ange 'IB which extends over the top of the track 60 and rides thereon. Aroller 12 is rotatably connected to the riding element 68 and is positioned on the lower side of the track 60.

As best shown in Fig. 1,` gauge wheels 14 and tools 16 may be attached to the arms 55 for work-V ing the ground. The apparatus for moving the carriage 58 on the trackil and thereby swinging the implement frame 46 on the pivot 48 for adjustably positioning the tools relatively tov the tractor wheels is not shown, inasmuch as this. structure comprises no part of the present inven-v tion.

From the above description it will be noted that the present arrangementof the transmission unit, the traction wheels connected therewith, the frame bars connected to the transmission unit, and the power unit mounted'onthe frame bars' forwardly of the transmission unit provides a complete two wheel tractor type implement.

The positioning of the ground working tools rearwardly of the wheel axis and the power unit forwardly of the wheel axis provides a two wheel power driven implement which tends to be` counterbalanced, thepower unit tending to counterbalance the tool supporting structure and thev ground working tools connected therewith, both of which are carried by the frame bars.

The counterbalancing effect ofv the power unit 34 is xed, and, consequently, the Weight` of, the'4 power unit may be insufficient to counteract the;V torque on the implement from the power unit andv to counterbalance the downward force exerted on the frame bars 25 resulting from the numbera or types of ground, working tools mounted on. the arms 5i) or the character of the ground: being worked or cultivated.

It will be noted that when the implement is' in operation and the tool 1S disposed in the ground,

the torque of the motor. andthe resistance of.

the ground to the tools will tend to. rotatethe frame bars 25 in a counter-'clockwise direction as.V viewed in Fig. l. Insunicient weight for counterbalancing this eect may result in the toolsv continually digging deeper into the ground? until the motor is unable to carry theexcessloadlandi is finally stalled; In order to provide'the: required VWeight on. the front. of the tractor.' for counteracting the motor torque and the downward force resulting from the implements connected to the rear of the tractor, and to vary the Weight, depending on the number or types of implements or the ground being Worked, a plurality of Weights T8 is providedwhich are identicalinV construction and adapted for being mounted on the U-shaped frame extension 323 carried by the frame bars 26. The weights 'IS may be detachably connected together in superimposed relationship and may be arranged in any given multiple in order that the total weight resulting from thecombinediweights 18 may be quickly and easily varied" tov provide the counterbalancing effect desired. These weights may also be connected to the wheels in any given multiple, as willfhereinatter be described, and as illustrated in Figs.r2'and 3; for the purpose of providing the traction wheels with additional weight and for varying the weight thereon to meet the conditions.4 encountered. Since the weights 78 are identical in construction, a description of one will-.suffice for all.

As,v best` shown in Figs. 3 andl 5, each of the weights 18 is arcuate shaped or substantially semi-circular in formation and is provided with projecting end portions Blladapted for being disposed: in overlapping relationship with the projecting end portions 8i] of an adjoining weight when said weights are connected to a wheel in the position shown in Fig. 3.

The overlapping end portions 83 of the paired weights 'I8` disposed on the wheel, as shown in Figs. r 3 and: 4;, are provided with aligned openings 82 therein for receiving hook. bolts 84 which extend through theropenings 82 and engage spokes 86 or the. wheel: 2:2; for` connecting theA paired weight-sito the wheel'.

It; be noted that the projecting end portionsl 8.0; are half ,asvthick' as, the remainder of the weight, so that-the. combined thickness of two of the'ioverlapping end .portions when connected together equals the. .thickness of the weight.

, Eaclrof thefweightsil is. provided with av pair of,` recesses 8B positioned at the mid-portion of the weight and extendingA transversely thereof. The. recesses 88- are: oppositely positioned on the oppositefsides. of theweight and are in. communicationwith three equally spaced holes 9|)V extending;througl'i: the weight.. Each of the weights 18 is further provided with a pair of recesses 92'similairto the. recesses: 88 positioned onopposite sides ofthe.` weights.r 1:8: andextending radially at substantially 15 with. respect' to the center line of the'recessesiil.

A pair of the recesses 92 is positioned on each side of the recesses 88, each of the pairedrecesses beingin communication with. an opening 941 extending' through they weight; As best shown in Figs. l,V '1,4 and 8, the U-shaped extensionframe 38 is provided with a pair of openings 98 therein which. aren preferably equally spaced Afrom the mid-portion ot thev U-shaped extensionframe 38.

As., an` example illustratingthe f application of the weights having the above described construction. let it be assumed that a pair of Weights isvtdbe mounted on the U-shaped frame extensi'on as illustrated in Figs. 1', 5, and 7. In mounting the. weights I8 on the frame extension 38', a pair. of.' hook bolts 98 has the hookend portions thereofinsert'ed through the openings 95 in the frame extension-3., A pair vfof the weights 18 disposed' in superimpo'sed positions, is then placed on the-'extension'frame ,33 sothat the hook bolts gliA extend throughqthe alignedlopenings 94' in both d ilt-he weiglfltv sections 18; Nuts Hill may then be disposedfonv the ends of the hook bolts 98- within the topmost recesses 92 Afor retaining the weight sections 'E8 fixedly positioned on the extension frame.

When it is desired to add additional weights to' those already mounted on the extension frame, the nuts I on the hook bolts 98 are loosened and the top weight section 'i8 removed. The shank of a hook bolt E62 is then inserted upwardly through the outermost opening 90 until the hook end portion thereof extends into the center hole 9B, at which time the weight section may again be disposed in its former position and connected to the iirst weight by the bolts 98 and nuts l, as shown in Fig. 7.

Additional weights may then be disposed on the bolt H32 throughout its length. Should it be desired to add further weights it is merely necessary to connect a hook bolt |533 to the topmost weight section i8 connected to the bolt |92 so that the shank of the hook bolt HB3 extends upwardly through the aligned inner openings 9i) of the last previous weight section and the additional weight sections, as clearly illustrated'in Fig. 8.

Thus it will be seen that any multiple of the weight sections may be mounted on the frame extension 38 for providing the necessary counterbalancing weight.

When a pair of the weight sections i8 is connected to a wheel by the hook bolts Sd, as illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4, the nuts disposed on the hook bolts will extend beyond the outer surface of the paired weight sections. In adding additional weights to the first pair of weights connected to the wheel, it is merely necessary that the rst pair of additional weights be positioned so that the nuts on the hook bolts 84 may be disposed in the recesses 92 of the first pair of additional weights. The rst pair of additional weights would then be disposed in the positions as would result from rotating the pair of weights, shown in Fig. 3, one-eighth of a revolution in either direction. The positioning of the weights as above described would result in a pair of diarnetrically opposed openings 94 of the rst pair of additional weights being disposed in alignment with corresponding inner openings 9B of the rst pair of weight sections connected to the wheel for receiving hook bolts and being connected to the first pair of weight sections in the manner hereinbefore described. y

Another advantage results from the weight construction above described, whereby the total weight on the wheels or the front of the implement may be varied. This advantage will be readily apparent from the following illustration.

When weight sections totaling one hundred pounds are connected to the wheels, then a traction advantage will be gained in proportion to the one hundred pounds additional weight. It may be desired, however, to gain additional traction advantage which would not be practical by adding the necessary weight sections to the wheels, or the required weight sections would not be available. Let it be assumed that a traction effect of the wheels is desired which would result from weight sections amounting to one hundred fty pounds being disposed on the wheels. In this case, weight sections amounting to fifty pounds may be removed from the wheels and mounted on the front of the implement. Assuming that the added weights on the front of the tractor substantially counterbalance the downward force exerted by the tools at the rear of the tractor, then the downward force on the wheels stantially one hundred pounds.

Thus it will be seen that the weight sections are adapted for being connected to either the front of the tractor or the wh'eels and shifted therebetween or arranged in such multiples as will give the counterbalancing and traction effects desired.

It will also be noted that the'implement is so constructed and the essential parts thereof, including the motor, the transmission, the frame bars, the tool supporting means, and the ground working tools connected therewith, so arranged, as to cooperate with the arrangements of the multiple weight sections for accomplishing the bores therethrough communicating with said recesses, the side wall of each recess being spaced from said holes suiiiciently to preclude interference of said wall with nuts on bolt Shanks extending from said holes, each recess being of a depth to be capable of substantially entirely receiving such a nut when the nut is engaged with the partition, and to be capable of receiving at least one-half of the depth of the projecting bight of `a J-bolt fitted in said holes, whereby two or more of said elements may be" reversibly held in stacked assembly by means of one or more J-bolts without interference of the bight oi any such bolt with the adjacent partition of an additional weight element coupled to the previously assembled elements.

2. A weight element having uniform fundamental thickness and having alined recesses in opposite faces thereof, said recesses being separated by a partition having two spaced parallel bores therethrough communicating with said recesses, the side wall of each recess being spaced from said holes sufficiently to preclude interference of said Wall with nuts on bolt shanks extending from said h'oles, each recess being of a depth to be capable of substantially entirely receiving such a nut when the nut is engaged with the partition, and to be capable of receiving at least one-half of the depth of the projecting bight of a J-bolt fitted in said holes, whereby two or more of said elements may be reversibly held in stacked assembly by means of one or more J-bolts without interference of the bight of any such bolt with the adjacent partition of an additional weight element coupled to th'e previously assembled elements, and one or more J-bolts connecting two or more of such Weight elements stacked as aforesaid.

3. A weight element having uniform fundarated:` by a. partitionhaving two spaced parallel.

bores therethrough communicating with, said recesses, the side wall of each recess being spaced from said holes suiiiciently to preclude interferenceof said wall with nuts onV bolt shanks extending from said holes, each recess being; of` a depth' tobe capable of substantially entirely receiving such a nut when the nut is engagedv with th'e partition, and to be capable of receiving, at least one-half of the depth oi the projecting bight of a J-bolt iitted in said holes, whereby two or more of said elements may be reversibly heldin stacked assembly by means of one or more J-bolts without interference of the bight of any such bolt with. the adjacent partition of an additional weight, element coupled to the previously assembled elements, said elementV having two other pairs of.

alinedrecesses with intervening partitions havingL bores therethrough for the reception of the shanks of J-bolts adapted to hook onto a support, each of said two other pairs of recesses being of sub.- stantially the same depthas the., aforesaid recesses for the reception of nuts on bolt Shanks as aforesaid.

4. A weight element having uniform fundamental thickness and having alined recesses inA opposite faces thereof, said recesses being separated by a partition having two spacedparallel bores therethrough communicating with; said recesses, the side wallo each recess being spaced from said holes sullciently to preclude interference of said wall with nuts on bolt shanks extending rom said4 holes, each recess being ofv a. depth to be capable oi substantially entirely receiving such a nut when the nut is engagedY with the partition, and to be capable of receiving at least one-half of the depth of the projecting bight of a J-bolt tted in saidy holes, whereby two or more of said elements may be reversibly held in. stacked assembly by means of one or more Jbolts without interference of the bight of any such bolt with the adjacent partition of an additional weight element coupled to the previously assembled elements, said partition having a third hole at the same distance from one of the rst two holes therein that said first two holes are from each other, whereby, when only the shank of a J-bolt is disposed in one of said iirst two holes, the legs of another J-bolt may be accommodated in said third hole and the other of said rst two holes, so that the latter shank may serve to couple one or more additional elements to the.

aforesaid elements.

5. A weight element having uniform funda- 8 Y mental thickness andi having alined recesses in opposite faces thereof, saidsrecessesl being separated by a partition having two spaced parallel boresgtherethrough communicating with saidV recesses, the side wall' of each recess being spaced from said holes sufiiciently to preclude interierencegofsaid Wall'. with nuts on bolt Shanks extending f-rom said holes, each recess being` of a depth to be capable' of substantially entirely receiving' such. a nut when the nut is eng-aged with the partition,` and; to be capable of receiving at least one-half of the depth of the projecting bight of ka J-bo'lt iitted in said holes, whereby two or more of said elements may be reversibly held in stacked assembly by means oi one or more J-bolts without, interference ofthe bight of any such bolt with the adjacent partition of an additional weight element coupled to the previously assembled elements, said partition having a third hole at thesamev distance from one of the first two holes therein that saidvr iirst two holes are from each, other, whereby, when only the shank of a `l-loolt. isdisposed in one of said first two holes, the legs of another J-bolt may be accommodated insaid third hole andthe other of said iirst two holes, so that the latter shank 4may serve to couple one or more additional elements to the aforesaid elements, said element having two other pairs. of alined recesses with intervening partitions having bores therethrough for the reception of the Shanks of J -bolts adapted to hook onto a support, each of said two other pairs of recesses bei-ng, of. substantially the same depth as the aforesaidv recessesr for the reception of nuts on bolt shanks as aforesaid.

WILLIAM L. ZINK. VERNON O. HAUSWIR'IH. JOHN M. GEISTWHITE.

REFERENCES CITED Ther following references are 0i record in the A le oi'this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

